THERE was another good turnout at the town hall for Sanquhar Cornets Club’s 53rd Annual Smoker.

This year’s Chairman, Allason Gibson — 2010 Ensign— thanked Rhona Park and staff for the lovely hearty meal they received on such a cold night, and to the past Cornets Lasses and this year’s Queen and Attendants for serving it out in a quick and courteous manner.

Mr Gibson also welcomed the visitors whom had come along for the night from Annan, Biggar, Currie, Edinburgh, Kirkcudbright, Lanark, Lockerbie and Moffat.

The 2018 Principals elect were then introduced — Dale West, Cornet Elect, Meghan Davis, Cornets Lass Elect and Eric Young, Ensign Elect, along with 2018 Queen, Heather Greirson and Attendants Erin McColm, Cerys Gibson and Chloe Scott.

They were given everyone’s best wishes for the celebrations in August and their forthcoming year were unanimously offered by the company.

Auchinleck resident, Jim Morrison, was the night’s first speaker. He is a much sought after and popular after-dinner speaker who has just finished a busy Burns Supper schedule.

Jim had favoured the company before and, with his usual relaxed style allied to a host of humorous stories, the hall was in fits of laughter.

Alan Tait, from Irvine, is the general manager at Deer Park Golf and Country Club just outside Edinburgh and has been PGA Golf Professional for more than 25 years.

After a successful amateur career he turned professional in 1991, winning Scottish PGA Tartan Tour Order of Merit in 1996 and also enjoying a stint on the European Tour in 1997.

Probably most famously, Alan became the first man ever to shoot 64 (8 under par) in 1994 over the Championship Course at Carnoustie.

This was a record which stood for 23 years and was only recently beaten at The Dunhill Links when Tommy Fleetwood shot 63.

He has worked for BBC Radio doing on course commentary at both The Scottish and Open Championships, and he reminisced on his early days playing alongside the golfing greats such as Faldo, Ballesteros, Langer and especially Tiger Woods.

Chairman Mr Gibson brought the night to a close by thanking both contributors, also treasurer Neil Candlish and Chuck Brown for organising the event.